I'm On My Way. (Naruto Fanfiction)

Chapter Nine

   When Neji drove Hinata and Hanabi to school the next day like usual, they didn't talk at all, and the car was filled with a tension filled silence. All of them were confused, and didn't know what to say following everything that had happened in the last 48 hours, so they didn't say anything at all.
It wasn't until Hanabi was out of the car, walking into her school when Neji spoke. "Hinata, you know in a little under a year I'll be turning eighteen. I was thinking something." He said, without continuing his thought.

"What were you thinking?" Hinata asked.
"Of moving into an apartment, and I was thinking, would you want to move in with me?"
She just looked at him for a moment, not sure of what to say, "I honestly don't know, Niisan. Maybe? I don't want to leave Hanabi alone with dad, a-and after yesterday I think he's actually going to change, you know?"
He glanced at her as he paid attention to the busy street, "You're right, but after what happened I just can't be around him too long, sure he didn't actually do that, but it was close enough. I just want to get both of you away from him, and soon."

She nodded, "And I get that, but what happens when we go to college? We're seniors, I know Hanabi will be a freshman an-"
"Don't worry about that right now. We'll get an apartment, and she can stay there, or if you decide to stay you need to learn how to protect yourself." She glanced at him with a confused look on her face, "What are you getting at?"
He just shrugged as they pulled into the student parking lot. "I don't trust Hiashi.
I can't leave you two in that house. I know he's trying to change, but I don't trust him."

Hinata was at a loss of words, as she unbuckled her seatbelt and left the car without saying another word. Neji just sighed as he watched her walk away. Like anyone, he hoped that Hiashi wasn't serious when he said that he was going to change, but after almost a year of watching one of the closest people he knew be abused, he wasn't counting on it.
Walking up to her locker, as Sakura waited by it, she smiled at her. "Morning, Sakura."

"Hey, beautiful. I got your usual, I figured you'd need it." Hinata pouted her bottom lip, before engulfing her in a hug, "Thank you, Sakura." She said before sipping the warm tea.
"No problem girl, are you okay? Naruto said you weren't feeling good yesterday."
"I'm doing okay now, have you seen him?"
She nodded before pointing behind her.
When she turned around, she made instant eye contact with Naruto as he walked down the hallway with Sasuke.

"Hime." He said hugging her tightly.
"How are you?"
"Better. How are you?" She answered with a small smile on her face. "Better now that you're here." A blush came to her face as he said that, while bringing her hand to his lips. "Are you ready for our chemistry test later?" He asked her as they walked to their separate first period. "I don't think it'll be too bad, how about you? You studied right?" She watched as his hand scratched the back of his neck, "Well."

"Naruto, will you ever learn?"
"Not unless you teach me." Rolling her lavender colored eyes, she said, "I'm not helping you cheat." Once their chemistry class came around, Hinata's mind was far away from the subject, as she thought about the conversation her and her cousin had before school. She hated that it seemed like she was the only one who has any faith in her father. The conversation she had with him kept her up all night, because she felt like she shouldn't of been so forgiving.

Though she finally came clean, she was convinced she had Stockholm syndrome.
Bringing her back to reality, Naruto poked her shoulder slightly, making her turn around with a smile, "Yes?"
  "What'd you get for eight?" He whispered, making her laugh quietly, "I got A."
"Hyuga and Uzumaki!" Their teacher said, getting their attention. "What are you two discussing?"
"Nothing." Naruto said resuming his test.
"See me after class you two." Hinata sighed as she finished her test quickly.